December 12, 2025
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Passenger tries to open door on Boston–HK flight

Cathay Pacific says a passenger on Flight CX811 from Boston to Hong Kong allegedly attempted to open an aircraft door mid‑flight on Dec. 11, 2025; crew intervened, verified the door was secure, and the plane landed safely with no injuries. Hong Kong Police arrested a 20‑year‑old mainland Chinese male on suspicion of violating the city’s Aviation Security Ordinance and have opened an investigation.

Public Transport Safety Aviation Security

📌 Key Facts

  • Incident aboard Cathay Pacific Flight CX811 (Boston→Hong Kong) on Dec. 11, 2025
  • No injuries; aircraft landed safely at Hong Kong International Airport
  • Hong Kong Police arrested a 20‑year‑old male from mainland China under the Aviation Security Ordinance

📊 Relevant Data

In 2024, more than 53,000 unruly passenger incidents were reported worldwide by over 60 operators, equating to one incident for every 395 flights, indicating a significant increase compared to previous years.

U.S. moves to tame the skies as disruptive passenger incidents reach new highs — CNBC

Alcohol consumption was a precipitating factor in 55.7% of air rage incidents aboard international commercial passenger flights, based on an analysis of 228 media-reported cases.

Descriptive analysis of air rage incidents aboard international commercial passenger flights — ScienceDirect

Chinese passengers, who account for approximately 440 million airline passengers in 2025 (second only to the United States at 666 million), are noted for a distinct genre of air rage incidents often involving attempts to open emergency doors due to inexperience with air travel, differing from Western incidents which are more commonly alcohol-related.

Why Chinese air rage may be a genre all its own: academic — South China Morning Post